At the Demon Sect meeting, there were only three Sect Hierarchs in attendance. Unlike the Righteous Path, the three great leaders of the Demon Sect held an even tighter grip on their power, with practically nothing beyond their say-so. There was no room for others to speak.

Of course, anyone who truly wanted to speak could do so, depending on whether the Sect Hierarch was in a good mood that day.

Previously, the opinions of the three Sect Hierarchs had been united, but recently, Dongfang Hongyue and Zhang Biyu had completely opposing ideas, each firmly sticking to their respective views without wavering.

Liu Ji, who had always been saying "I’d do the same," finally began to feel a headache coming on.

In this trio, he had become the key vote. However, both sides made too much sense.

Dongfang Hongyue analyzed the pros and cons from the perspective of the Central Plains People, concluding that Ziyang City absolutely could not be lost. Liu Ji agreed wholeheartedly.

Although we are of the Demon Sect, we also possess a heart to uphold the world. How can we allow foreigners to rampage unbridled in the Central Plains?

Had it not been for Zhang Biyu speaking up, Liu Ji was just about to start discussing city defense strategies with Dongfang Hongyue.

But Zhang Biyu spoke with such firmness, one had no choice but to listen to her reasons.

"I believe there are three reasons it benefits us not to intervene. First, the Grassland People’s attack on Ziyang City is within Guanghan Palace’s territory and also near Shenxiao Sect. The Central Plains are trending towards a tripartite balance of power. In terms of strength, we are slightly inferior to Shenxiao Sect, and in terms of heritage, we are behind The Five Righteous Sects.

This time, as the Grassland People attack Ziyang City, they are inadvertently weakening our rivals for us. Shenxiao Sect will definitely lend aid, and Guanghan Palace cannot simply abandon their city. Their conflict with the Grassland People, regardless of victory or defeat, is advantageous for us. We can watch the fire burn from across the river. Why should we take the risk of jumping into the fray and getting burned ourselves?"

"Have you considered that if the Central Plains People all put forth their full effort against the Grassland People, and we of the Demon Sect do not lend a hand, then the good reputation we have built during the wars between the Human and Demon Races will go to waste? If we decide to watch from afar now, why haven’t we done so from the beginning?"

Dongfang Hongyue’s counterargument also hit the nail on the head, making Liu Ji even more inclined to listen to her.

Zhang Biyu remained calm, giving a slight smile before saying, "Listen to my second point. Since the Snow Maiden moved south, although there have been significant casualties due to warfare, she has not harmed the common people. Even after breaching cities, she has not been indiscriminate in killing. Although she has taken cities, she can hardly be accused of ravaging. What harm is there if she takes one more city?"

Not waiting for Dongfang Hongyue to speak, Zhang Biyu quickly added, "Then there’s the third point. The Grassland People come bearing the momentum of a grand victory, with their morale at its peak, while our three factions in the Central Plains each harbor their own schemes. If we commit all our forces in this battle to defend Ziyang City and the Grassland People are temporarily repelled, who knows when the Central Plains will be united.

On the contrary, if we allow them to breach Ziyang City and trample the prestige of the Central Plains underfoot, the forces within the Central Plains will surely be spurred on by shame to greater bravery, and the overconfident Grassland People, riding on prolonged victory, will inevitably become arrogant. The desperate troops of the Central Plains are bound to win, while the proud soldiers of the Grassland are bound to lose.

There’s a saying: great efforts lead to exhaustion, and after the initial onslaught, decline follows. The Grassland comes here riding on a tide of high morale, and we do not need to engage them in protracted conflict. If we let this wave pass, and when we counterattack thereafter, the Grassland will be doomed. Furthermore, Shenxiao Sect and The Five Righteous Sects have failed in battles they joined, whereas the Three Great Holy Sects have been victorious since our participation. When that time comes, the people will naturally lean towards us. Sister Hong Yue, you can imagine that, can’t you?"

Dongfang Hongyue was left speechless by her words.

One must admit, Zhang Biyu’s analysis was spot on. Following her logic, the Demon Sect indeed had no reason to intervene.

To intervene would be thankless and exerting effort for naught, but to refrain would mean reaping all the benefits without effort.

Even Liu Ji began to waver, swaying once again towards Zhang Biyu’s side.

We were all friends; when our opinions were united, we acted together with one heart. But when our opinions differed, it was up to Liu Ji to weigh the pros and cons of both sides.

And this was the most troublesome thing for him as a Demon Lord.

In this lifetime, he simply did not love analysis.

After considering what both sides had to say, Liu Ji still looked towards Dongfang Hongyue.

That glance seemed to say, "If you have nothing else to add, I’m going to cast my lot with Bi Yu."

Dongfang Hongyue also had to admit, based on the position of the Demon Sect, what Zhang Biyu said was right.

But who could have known that once Ziyang City was lost, her husband would be marrying someone else?

She simply couldn’t bring herself to speak of this matter to others.

Dongfang Hong Yue’s heart ached, but she could not argue against Zhang Bi Yu this time.

However, it didn’t matter.

Even though the Three Sects had been advancing and retreating together for so long, they had yet to truly merge into one entity. Just because someone else said how things should be done did not mean she had to comply.

Moreover, despite Zhang Bi Yu’s seemingly righteous and grand words about considering the Demon Sect, Dongfang Hong Yue always felt that she had ulterior motives.

Could it be that this person is an insider traitor?

Suspicions like these arose in Dongfang Hong Yue’s mind, yet she did not voice them directly. Instead, she firmly declared, "You make sense, but no amount of strategizing can change my mind. I will lead the Red Lotus Sect to assist Ziyang City. Whether you all choose to go or not is up to you."

Seeing Dongfang Hong Yue say this put Liu Ji in a difficult position as well.

It was like among three friends who had a disagreement, one of them simply decided not to play together with the others anymore.

Zhang Bi Yu, on the other hand, remained composed, her smile now seeming more profound.

"Is Sister Hong Yue insisting on this to protect the dignity of the Central Plains, or is she so adamant because she wants to protect the man she loves?"

These words left Liu Ji dumbfounded on the spot.

Eh? The man Dongfang Hong Yue loves?

There’s such a matter?

Why does Zhang Bi Yu know something I don’t?

Aren’t we supposed to be the best of friends?

At this moment, Liu Ji’s head was filled with question marks, while Dongfang Hong Yue’s expression drastically changed.

She stared at Zhang Bi Yu with fire in her eyes.

She and Lin Yun’s affair had always been suspected by Zhang Bi Yu. Although she kept denying it, Zhang Bi Yu’s intuition was too sharp. Dongfang Hong Yue also knew that regardless of her denials, Zhang Bi Yu had made up her mind about it.

But until today, Zhang Bi Yu had kept it a secret. Now, at this critical moment, she suddenly let slip such words. What exactly was she thinking?

Besides, what was the point of asking this question now? Even if her relationship with Lin Yun was revealed, so what?

It would only mean one more person knew about it, but nobody could stop her from supporting Ziyang City. Ziyang City must hold-on!

Because she couldn’t fathom Zhang Bi Yu’s intentions, the look Dongfang Hong Yue gave her turned even more dangerous. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Even without any evidence, but relying on her own instincts and Zhang Bi Yu’s unpredictable behavior, she was certain that even if Zhang Bi Yu wasn’t an insider traitor, she certainly harbored significant schemes.

"Since you’ve asked me this, I’d like to ask you a question as well. Are you considering the interests of the Holy Sect, or your own? Or perhaps, are you considering the interests of someone behind you?"